After more than 2 yrs, work for power grid to begin at Bhangar

Kolkata: The work of the power sub-station at Bhangar will resume after two-and-a-half-years on Tuesday with the "final minutes" being signed on Saturday.

The "final minutes" was signed by representatives of the Jomi, Jibika, Poribesh O Bastutantra Rakshya Committee, Power Grid Corporation of India, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, the top brass of the district police and the District Magistrate. At the same time, a decision has also been taken to set up a standing sub-committee to ensure implementation of the work following the "final minutes".

It may be mentioned that most of the issues were settled in the previous meetings. But the final decision on the compensation for setting up of the towers and stringing of overhead cables was taken in the meeting on Saturday that was attended by more than 70 persons including 50 representatives of the committee.

It has been finalised that a package of Rs 12 crore will be allotted for the local area development and to carry out various skill development programmes for the residents of the area.

At the same time, a compensation of Rs 2 to Rs 4 lakh will be given to the person on whose land a tower will be constructed. Moreover, Rs 2 per square feet will be given for the land above which the overhead wires will be passing. It may be mentioned that nine out of the 13 towers have already been set up. The representatives of the committee have also agreed to extend all support to carry out the work for completion of the power sub-station project.

According to sources, the standing sub-committee will be headed by an Additional District Magistrate-rank officer. In case of any issues that may arise while carrying out the work for completion of the project, the matter will be discussed among members of the standing sub-committee to find out a solution. Representatives of the Jomi, Jibika, Poribesh O Bastutantra Rakshya Committee will also be there in the standing sub-committee. Steps would also be taken so that the project gets completed at the earliest.

The ultimate meeting before the signing of the agreement was held on Tuesday in which there was a detailed discussion in this connection and the district administration had agreed upon to bring about certain changes in the design of the project. A decision was also taken to alter the height of the towers to lay overhead wires.